Have you ever been to a restaurant or a bar and asked for the wine list only to realise that you don't know any of the wines on the list? You ask the waiter but they tell you they don't know much about wine. So you order the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or the Aussie Shiraz and figure they should be drinkable!
Now imagine you're not in the industry and think how daunting the wine list is to the average diner. Of course to have a sommelier on staff would be wonderful but not many small restaurants or bars can afford this option. Your staff try but get nervous when talking wines and revert to a red for meat and white for fish approach.
A really simple way around this is to print a recommended wine on your menu next to your most popular dishes. Make sure it's a good pairing and then print something like "We suggest the (insert wine) with this dish". You will be amazed by how often your clients will select the wine with the dish.
It is also an excellent opportunity to up-sell your wines. Instead of selecting a wine by the price column the patron is more likely to pay a bit extra if they perceive additional value in selecting the recommended wine. In return you need to make sure it is a really good pairing.
Then end result is the wine list turning over more regularly and evenly not to mention the profit going up.
If you're not sure try it on a couple of dishes for 2 weeks and see what happens. It's not for every restaurant but if your wine sales are slow and limited to 2 wines, you should definitely give it a try.
Monday, June 28, 2010
10 White Wines for Summer - By The Glass
If you need to freshen up the list with some new Wines by the Glass for the hot summer days ahead here are some suggestions to help out.
1. 2008 Antonin Rodet Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy, FR
Price Level: Entry
Fresh and fruity but balanced. Enough acidity to be a great partner for fish in sauce, shell fish and creamed mushrooms.
2. 2005 Antonin Rodet Puligny Montrachet, Burgundy, FR
Price Level: Premium
This wine is rich and buttery with a warm and generous finish. Aged in oak for 14 months you will find it good with hot appetizers, seafood or poultry in sauce and fine cheeses.
3. 2009 Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ
Price Level: Entry
This is no ordinary Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The quality of this wine comes from the care taken with the grapes and it's evident in every drop. Hand picked and bunch pressed it is a fine example of terroir and it is suitable for drinking by itself or with pasta and seafood.
4. 2007 Domaine Marcel Deiss Riesling, Alsace, FR
Price Level: Mid
Citrus and good minerals in this Bio-Dynamic Wine. Refreshing enough to drink by itself but Riesling has always been a wonderful food wine. Relatively low in alcohol (12%) it can be enjoyed throughout the meal.
5. 2007 Van Zellers Douro Branco, Douro,PT
Price Level: Mid
A wine that is unashamedly proud of its oak. Light, fresh and low in alcohol (12.5%) the buttery notes like to be noticed. One that is best served with food like lobster to get the best out of both.
6. 2006 Domaine Jacques Prieur Beaune 1er Cru Les Champs Pimont, Burgundy, FR
Price Level: Premium
This is a truly complex wine that will probably demand a second glass just to explore the deep layers of fruits and minerals. It is rich and refreshing with a pleasant finish.
7. 2009 Valduero Garcia Viadero Blanco, Ribera del Duero, SP
Price Level: Entry
A unique wine made from 100% Albillo, the only one of it's kind. Exciting citrus notes give way to a palate that is crisp, dry and fresh but most importantly it is balanced, leaving a clean finish.
8. 2007 Domaine Marcel Deiss Langenberg, Saint-Hippolyte, Alsace, FR
Price Level: Premium
When you want to provide a white wine that is a great expression of terroir look no further. Hand picked and blended this is a wine that is full, luscious and modestly sweet. A great choice for something above the rest.
9. 2008 RockBare Chardonnay, McLaren Vale, AU
Price Level: Entry
An un-oaked Chardonnay that is bursting with tropical fruits. This wine evolves in to a creamy palate but the freshness makes it a pleasure to drink by itself or with fresh seafood.
10. 2005 Chateau des Tours Cotes du Rhone Blanc, Southern Rhone, FR
Price Level: Mid
This is an evolved wine that has started to take on some aged characteristics. The biggest highlight is the value for money that this wine represents. Your clients will think it cost you a lot more than it did.
Price level is relative to wine by the glass rates:
Entry $80 - $115
Mid $135 - $175
Premium $260 - $350
Many other options are available if you can not see what you are after here.
Contact Lee, Casey or Kiki for details
1. 2008 Antonin Rodet Bourgogne Chardonnay, Burgundy, FR
Fresh and fruity but balanced. Enough acidity to be a great partner for fish in sauce, shell fish and creamed mushrooms.
2. 2005 Antonin Rodet Puligny Montrachet, Burgundy, FR
This wine is rich and buttery with a warm and generous finish. Aged in oak for 14 months you will find it good with hot appetizers, seafood or poultry in sauce and fine cheeses.
3. 2009 Summerhouse Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ
This is no ordinary Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. The quality of this wine comes from the care taken with the grapes and it's evident in every drop. Hand picked and bunch pressed it is a fine example of terroir and it is suitable for drinking by itself or with pasta and seafood.
4. 2007 Domaine Marcel Deiss Riesling, Alsace, FR
Citrus and good minerals in this Bio-Dynamic Wine. Refreshing enough to drink by itself but Riesling has always been a wonderful food wine. Relatively low in alcohol (12%) it can be enjoyed throughout the meal.
5. 2007 Van Zellers Douro Branco, Douro,PT
A wine that is unashamedly proud of its oak. Light, fresh and low in alcohol (12.5%) the buttery notes like to be noticed. One that is best served with food like lobster to get the best out of both.
6. 2006 Domaine Jacques Prieur Beaune 1er Cru Les Champs Pimont, Burgundy, FR
This is a truly complex wine that will probably demand a second glass just to explore the deep layers of fruits and minerals. It is rich and refreshing with a pleasant finish.
7. 2009 Valduero Garcia Viadero Blanco, Ribera del Duero, SP
A unique wine made from 100% Albillo, the only one of it's kind. Exciting citrus notes give way to a palate that is crisp, dry and fresh but most importantly it is balanced, leaving a clean finish.
8. 2007 Domaine Marcel Deiss Langenberg, Saint-Hippolyte, Alsace, FR
When you want to provide a white wine that is a great expression of terroir look no further. Hand picked and blended this is a wine that is full, luscious and modestly sweet. A great choice for something above the rest.
9. 2008 RockBare Chardonnay, McLaren Vale, AU
An un-oaked Chardonnay that is bursting with tropical fruits. This wine evolves in to a creamy palate but the freshness makes it a pleasure to drink by itself or with fresh seafood.
10. 2005 Chateau des Tours Cotes du Rhone Blanc, Southern Rhone, FR
This is an evolved wine that has started to take on some aged characteristics. The biggest highlight is the value for money that this wine represents. Your clients will think it cost you a lot more than it did.
Price level is relative to wine by the glass rates:
Entry $80 - $115
Mid $135 - $175
Premium $260 - $350
Many other options are available if you can not see what you are after here.
Contact Lee, Casey or Kiki for details
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Wine Words - For On-Trade Only
One of the biggest challenges in our industry is to keep information flowing when we all work different hours. It's not unusual for you to be checking your emails at 2am and your responsibilities during the day can make it hard to allocate time to us.
With this in mind we have developed a new information source specifically designed with you in mind. Wine Words is a one stop blog to find out all the latest information about Saveurs. You can access it 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week.
We won't try and bore you with fluffy marketing either. Just solid, helpful and reliable information.
On this site you will find information on new wines and vintages as they come to hand, updates on current wines, information on wine maker visits and vintage reports. We will also try and include useful tips for marketing, sales and staff training.
We would also like to invite you to participate on the site. If you have ideas that you would like to share or information that you think others would find helpful please let us know.
You'll find our wine list, contact information and more all with easy to follow menus. Because this is not a secure site we won't post prices but we will give you an indication of the price range.
We welcome your feedback and content suggestions at any time.
Dean Aslin
Marketing Manager
With this in mind we have developed a new information source specifically designed with you in mind. Wine Words is a one stop blog to find out all the latest information about Saveurs. You can access it 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week.
We won't try and bore you with fluffy marketing either. Just solid, helpful and reliable information.
On this site you will find information on new wines and vintages as they come to hand, updates on current wines, information on wine maker visits and vintage reports. We will also try and include useful tips for marketing, sales and staff training.
We would also like to invite you to participate on the site. If you have ideas that you would like to share or information that you think others would find helpful please let us know.
You'll find our wine list, contact information and more all with easy to follow menus. Because this is not a secure site we won't post prices but we will give you an indication of the price range.
We welcome your feedback and content suggestions at any time.
Dean Aslin
Marketing Manager
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Summerhouse Wines, Marlborough, New Zealand - NOW HERE
You probably know the name or are familiar with the distinctive label as Summerhouse wines have been in Hong Kong for several years now. We are pleased to announce that we have signed a deal to import and market Summerhouse wines exclusively in Hong Kong.
Details
Owners Heather and Meric Davies put their hart in to everything that comes out of the winery. From tending to the vines through to the finished product it is hands on all the way. Our Summerhouse range of single vineyard wines includes the 2007 Pinot Noir, the 2007 Chardonnay and the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc. We have been lucky enough to secure a small amount of the limited production 2009 Dry Riesling as well. Made in traditional style and concentrating on wine as a reflection of the terroir these wines are truly unique. Even the vine stock and genus were selected specifically for the area.
Price
All of these wines are priced in the low end of the medium price range for these wines. They represent excellent value as it is not easy to find such quality in this price range. They will easily fit in to the 'By the Glass' range and many venues will find them an attractive 'Wine of the Month' opportunity.
History
Details
Owners Heather and Meric Davies put their hart in to everything that comes out of the winery. From tending to the vines through to the finished product it is hands on all the way. Our Summerhouse range of single vineyard wines includes the 2007 Pinot Noir, the 2007 Chardonnay and the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc. We have been lucky enough to secure a small amount of the limited production 2009 Dry Riesling as well. Made in traditional style and concentrating on wine as a reflection of the terroir these wines are truly unique. Even the vine stock and genus were selected specifically for the area.
Price
All of these wines are priced in the low end of the medium price range for these wines. They represent excellent value as it is not easy to find such quality in this price range. They will easily fit in to the 'By the Glass' range and many venues will find them an attractive 'Wine of the Month' opportunity.
History
Summerhouse vineyard and the wines crafted from this family estate are a story of freedom and The Davies aim to share that freedom with others.
Summerhouse is a 24hectare vineyard, founded by Heather and Meric Davies in 1995. The Davies are driven by a deep passion for growing quality grapes and sharing the unique qualities of their terroir with others by crafting these ‘single vineyard’ wines.
Concentrating on the vineyard and tending their own vines ensures Summerhouse‘s wines have a wonderful purity of flavour and are a true reflection of the grape variety, vineyard and region. The Davies’ passion for growing quality grapes, attention to detail and making fine wine has seen Summerhouse win a number of reviews and awards.
Concentrating on the vineyard and tending their own vines ensures Summerhouse‘s wines have a wonderful purity of flavour and are a true reflection of the grape variety, vineyard and region. The Davies’ passion for growing quality grapes, attention to detail and making fine wine has seen Summerhouse win a number of reviews and awards.
Contact Lee, Casey or Kiki for full details
Totara Wines, Marlborough, New Zealand - NOW HERE
Totara wines have awarded Saveurs exclusive distribution of their exceptional entry level wines.
Price
They are priced to make them very competitive and are suitable for wine by the glass or a less expensive Marlborough pair. Their attractive labels make them a great 'Wine of the Month' option as well. The wines are exceptionally good for the price range.
History
Native to the north and south islands of New Zealand, the Totara tree has long been revered by Maoris for the diverse qualities and uses of its timber. The strength, durability, resistance to rot and light weight wood of this conifer made it ideal for canoes and carving, as well as being the primary material used for fence posts or building houses and wharves during early European settlement.
Growing to over 30 metres high, the Totara tree is also well reputed for it’s medicinal properties, known to treat an array of conditions from reducing fever to promoting hair growth and was used to splint up sprains or broken limbs.
Contact Lee, Casey or Kiki for all the details.
Details
This pair of wines, A Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, both come from Marlborough and are put together under the watchful eye of winemaker Nina Stocker. They are juicy and fresh with great intensity.Price
They are priced to make them very competitive and are suitable for wine by the glass or a less expensive Marlborough pair. Their attractive labels make them a great 'Wine of the Month' option as well. The wines are exceptionally good for the price range.
History
Native to the north and south islands of New Zealand, the Totara tree has long been revered by Maoris for the diverse qualities and uses of its timber. The strength, durability, resistance to rot and light weight wood of this conifer made it ideal for canoes and carving, as well as being the primary material used for fence posts or building houses and wharves during early European settlement.
Growing to over 30 metres high, the Totara tree is also well reputed for it’s medicinal properties, known to treat an array of conditions from reducing fever to promoting hair growth and was used to splint up sprains or broken limbs.
Contact Lee, Casey or Kiki for all the details.
June Price List
We have just released our June update on our price list.
Our Sales Team will be contacting you shortly to make sure you have the latest updates.
If you can't wait call your rep today and make arrangements.
Dean
Our Sales Team will be contacting you shortly to make sure you have the latest updates.
If you can't wait call your rep today and make arrangements.
Dean
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